Shimmering Venice

I have a weak spot for photo stamps, and I have had this idea about using mica powders with one for a while. Translating this vision into a reality proved difficult but after trying a number of versions, media and methods I finally happened on a nearly there result.
This stamp from Katzelkraft evokes the holidays for me and I wanted the shimmer to give it that feeling of heat you get in the summer.

I stamped the image first with a blue dye ink to provide the base darkness to the image, then overstamped with Versamark. I applied mica powders (Imagination Crafts "Natural" set), gold on the building, blue in the sky, burgundy on the darkest areas of the image. I had trouble catching the shimmer with the camera, especially since the light flares on the glossy cardstock, but here's two attempts:




















At the beginning I was determined to use patterned papers for matting but as you can see in the end I used plain colours to let the image be the star of the show.

For embellishment, I stamped a Crafty Individuals stamp (It says Violettes de Parme) in a pool of mixed UTEE, in fact not completely mixed, as when I added my last scoop of coloured powder, I thought the swirls would give more interest to the piece. Love playing with embossing powders me !

I haven't got a favourite embellishment as such, but I do prefer to make my own, so my favourite embellishment is one that I created myself !

I am entering this card in the following challenges :

- WOW embossing powder - Summer & Sunshine
- Imaginations Crafts - Anything goes
- Ladybug Crafts - Favourite embellishment

Thanks for coming by,